Major update after massive four-metre boa constrictor on the loose in Aussie city

By NICK WILSON FOR DAILY MAIL AUSTRALIA

Published: 23:49 BST, 10 April 2025 | Updated: 07:30 BST, 11 April 2025

A massive boa constrictor spotted slithering around Sydney’s southern suburbs has finally been captured after days of sightings. 

The NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) confirmed the red-tailed snake was caught in Sylvania, 22km south of the CBD, on Thursday. 

Tyler Gibbons from Shire Snake Wranglers has been credited with capturing the snake after receiving a tip-off from a reporter who sighted it at the Sylvania Boat Camp. 

‘I headed straight there and found the boa with a bloke who was surprisingly comfortable handling it,’ Mr Gibbons wrote on social media on Thursday evening. 

‘The snake was safely removed and handed over to the DPI.’ 

Footage of the reticulated snake slithering near a Tom Ugly’s Bridge in Sylvania went viral after being posted to Facebook on Monday. 

Sydneysiders were told ‘not to approach’ the reptile, believed to be an escaped pet, and to report any sightings to authorities. 

After at least four days on the loose, Mr Gibbons was able to rescue the snake not far from the location of its initial sighting. 

A giant boa constrictor that sparked panic in Sydney’s south has been captured

Snake wrangler Tyler Gibbons is pictured with the boa constrictor after rescuing it on Thursday 

Despite the concerned response from locals, Mr Gibbons said boa constrictors are known to be calm animals. 

‘They are very placid, boas… he never tried to bite me or anything like that,’ he told ABC Radio Sydney. 

‘They’re beautiful snakes’.  

Mr Gibbons said the 1.5metre snake was a juvenile and still had ‘a lot of growing to do’. 

Adult boas generally measure around three metres, but some can be longer than four.

The are non-venomous and feed mostly on small mammals, lizards and birds, which they wrap themselves around and suffocate. 

A spokesperson for NSW DPIRD confirmed the catch, adding a veterinarian had identified it as a 2kg male boa constrictor. 

‘NSW DPIRD thanks the local community for their vigilance and encourages members of the public across NSW to report any unusual or exotic animal sightings. 

‘NSW DPIRD will continue its investigation to determine the owner of the snake. Dealings with a boa constrictor in NSW is an offence under the Biosecurity Act 2015 and attracts a fine of $1,000.’

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Major update after massive four-metre boa constrictor on the loose in Aussie city

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